Table for Two - Risotto Primavera for Two

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Those of you who try this recipe will be really pleased with the results you achieve. This risotto is delicious and despite the unconventional manner in which it's made, the finished dish is well-flavored and creamy. The recipe, which comes from Cook's Illustrated, is easy to make and the risotto is perfect as a side dish or entree. The dish has wonderful color and it truly speaks to Spring. I like this dish well enough to include it in my menu for Easter Sunday. I love that this recipe is scaled to feed just two people. I have never had any luck reheating risotto, so it's good to know there will be no leftovers to deal with. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. Here is how the risotto is made.

Spring Vegetable Risotto

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I feel almost guilty posting this recipe when so many of you are still buried in snow, but the blooms of daffodils and Thundercloud plum trees have announced the arrival of spring here the the Pacific Northwest and I wanted my kitchen to reflect the change of season. I decided to make this wonderful lemon flavored risotto, prepared with a handful of spring vegetables, to mark the occasion. This is one of my favorite dishes, and when I am home alone I can make a meal of it. When the Silver Fox is home, I'll make lamb chops to round out his plate and keep one of the world's most committed carnivores happy. While risotto is not hard to make, it demands some attention from the cook. The liquid must be added in stages and the rice must be stirred as it cooks, but once you've established a rhythm, those lovely grains will reward you with a delicious and savory treat. It is important to serve the rice just as it has finished cooking. This is not a dish that keeps well and the rice will become gummy if it sits and is allowed to cool. I do hope you'll give this flavorful spring risotto a try. Here is how it's made.

Frugal Foodie Friday - Risotto with Chicken, Lemon and Basil

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This recipe is a keeper and one that, once tried, I suspect will be used over and over again. The cost of its ingredients keep it well within the realm of possibility for a Frugal Friday meal, but I must admit I was first drawn to the recipe because it used a microwave to speed up making risotto. The recipe was developed by America's Test Kitchen, so I was reasonably certain that this speedy version would work. It did, but there is one pitfall that I want to alert you to. The length of time that the rice is microwaved is given as a variable in the recipe. I'm sure that was done to accommodate various types of ovens, but be vary cautious as you move toward the upper end of the suggested range. The rice is actually cooked in two stages, and if spends too much time in the microwave, your risotto end up being gummy and overcooked. By trial and error, I've come up with a method that works for me. I have a 1200 watt oven and I cook the rice on High power for 13 minutes. At that point, the rice had softened and most of the liquid in which it cooked had been absorbed. It is close to, but not completely done at this stage and it is ready to be transferred to a pan of waiting aromatics to finish cooking on a stovetop burner. The addition of chicken adds enough substance to make this a remarkably tasty one-dish meal. Surprisingly, this dish gets rave reviews from the Silver Fox who also loves to have leftovers for lunch the following day. This is a fast and frugal meal that makes a perfect feature for Frugal Foodie Friday. Here is how the risotto is made.

Risotto with Chicken, Lemon and Basil...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients:
1 cup Arborio rice
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided use
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded and meat shredded into bite-sized pieces or 3 cups leftover chicken shredded into pieces
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons grated zest + 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Salt & pepper

Directions:
1) Combine rice, 3 cups broth and 2 tablespoons butter in a large bowl. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and microwave until rice is softened and most of liquid is absorbed, 10 to 16 minutes.
2) Meanwhile, melt additional 2 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in hot rice mixture and remaining broth and simmer, stirring constantly until rice is tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
3) Remove pan from heat. Stir in basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If finished risotto is too thick, stir in hot water, a few tablespoons at a time to adjust consistency. Serve, passing more Parmesan at the table. Yield: 4 servings.

If you have enjoyed your visit here, I hope you'll take a minute to...

      

One Year Ago Today: Roasted Peppers

Two Years Ago Today: Lime Milk Shake

Three Years Ago Today: Pumpkin Yeast Rolls

Four Years Ago Today: Shrimp Scampi with Cumin, Paprika and Sherry Wine Vinegar

Pumpkin-Peanut Risotto

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely risotto is really a perfect dish for Meatless Mondays. It has wonderful color and a flavor profile that is sure to please. The recipe was developed at the Culinary Institute of America and it is nearly foolproof to make. You must, however, be careful not to over cook the arborio rice, and make sure that the risotto is served while it is piping hot. The rice gets gummy as it cools and it does not reheat well. If you do have leftovers, plan to use them to make risotto cakes or use them as a binder in chopped or ground meat. I use canned, unseasoned puree to make this, though I'm sure the risotto would be even better made with fresh pumpkin or squash. I made no changes to the recipe, save for the addition of salt and a pinch of nutmeg. I like this well enough to incorporate it into our Easter dinner. I have yet to decide if I'll serve it as a separate course or use it as a side along with other dishes. All the ingredients needed to make the risotto can be found in any well-stocked grocery store. Here's the recipe which I first found at The Peanut Institute.

Pumpkin-Peanut Risotto...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of the Culinary Institute of America

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoons peanut oil
1/3 cup onion, finely minced
1-1/2 cups arborio rice
5-1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup canned unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup peanuts, toasted
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt to taste

Directions:
1) Heat butter and peanut oil in a heavy 4-quart casserole over moderate heat. Add onion and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to soften, being careful not to brown it.
2) Add rice to onions and stir for 1 minute, using a wooden spoon to make sure all grains are well coated. Bring the broth to a steady simmer in a saucepan on top of stove. Begin to add simmering broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently. Wait until each addition is almost completely absorbed before adding next 1/2 cup, reserving about 1/4 cup to add at end. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
3) When rice is tender but still firm, about 18 minutes, add reserved broth, pumpkin, lemon juice and parsley. Turn off heat and immediately add butter and Parmesan and stir vigorously to combine with rice. Garnish with peanuts. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Shrimp Risotto - One Perfect Bite
Asparagus and Lemon Grass Risotto - One Perfect Bite
Risotto with Smoked Salmon Spinach and Peas - One Perfect Bite
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Risotto all Milanese(2) - Love through the Stomach
Farro Risotto - Christine's Cuisine
Brown Rice Risotto with Roasted Tomatoes - Deliciously Organic
Lobster Risotto - In Danny's Kitchen
Mushroom Risotto - Closet Cooking
Sausage and Mushroom Risotto - Sugar Crafter
Roasted Garlic Risotto - Handle the Heat
Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto - Life's Ambrosia
Mexican Risotto - What's Cooking, Mexico
Salmon and Pea Risotto - Coconut and Lime
Mushroom and Leek Risotto - Sweet Salty Spicy
Lemon and Roasted Red Pepper Risotto - Food is Love
Tomato Risotto - Phem Fatale
Butternut Squash Risotto - So Easy, So Tasty
Turkey Mushroom Risotto - Simply Recipes
Fresh Corn Risotto - Culinary in the Desert
Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Thyme - Kalyn's Kitchen

This post is being linked to:
Smiling Sally - Blue Monday

Risotto with Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Peas

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a light and lovely entrée that's packed with flavor. It is perfect for Meatless Monday or any day you are looking for something that can be quickly made and is easy on the palate. I normally serve risotto as a side dish, but the addition of smoked salmon and loads of vegetables gives this dish enough heft to serve as a delicious one-dish meal. The intense flavor of the the salmon permeates the rice and produces a wonderfully flavorful meal in about 30 minutes. I wanted to begin the new year with a series of recipes that included something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. This is my offering for the "something old" in that equation. The recipe I've adapted was developed about 20 years ago by Marian Burrows, a cookbook author and journalist who is a senior staff write at the New York Times. I make this recipe at least once a year for my family who really enjoy it. I think you might like it, too. The ingredients, as listed below, will produce three meal-size servings. Here's the recipe.

Risotto with Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Peas...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Marian Burrows

Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup minced onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
4 to 5 ounces baby spinach washed, stemmed and torn or cut into smaller pieces
3 ounces smoked salmon, diced
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions:
1) Heat oil in 2-quart pot. Saute garlic and onion in hot oil until they begin to take on color.
2) Meanwhile, pour chicken broth into a separate pot and bring to a simmer.
3) Add rice to garlic and onion mixture, stirring until well coated. Add wine and cook until liquid has almost evaporated, about 2 minutes.
4) Add 1 cup of hot broth to rice and cook over high heat, stirring very often until liquid has been absorbed. Repeat procedure two to three times, or until rice is almost cooked.
5) Add final cup of broth to pot along with spinach, salmon and peas. When rice is tender and some liquid remains, add rice and lemon juice. Stir well. Serve immediately. Yield: 3 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Easy Vegetable Risotto - Lite Bite
Asparagus Risotto - Las Vegas Food Adventures
Tomato Risotto Recipe - Pham Fatale
Beetroot Risotto - Angie's Recipes
Wild Mushroom Risotto - Bunky Cooks
Butternut Squash Risotto - So Tasty, So Yummy
Baked Crab Risotto with Cream Cheese and Chilli - Simply Delicious